Messages of support for Ukraine in the 1st year of the war
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Estonia on the occasion of Estonian Independence Day. Speaking at a tripartite press conference with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas in the capital Tallinn, Stoltenberg claimed that Russia violated international law with its invasion and attack on Ukraine exactly one year ago.
Stoltenberg said: “Russian President Vladimir Putin has failed, Ukraine has survived. The EU and NATO support Ukraine, ”he said. Stating that Putin wants more war, Stoltenberg noted that Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, should have its needs met, and concerns were expressed that this would increase tensions, but that there was no risk-free option.
Stoltenberg reported that he invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to the NATO Summit to be held in Lithuania in July.
NATO MESSAGE TO CHINA
Stoltenberg responded to a question about China’s arms support for Russia:
“We have not seen any arms shipments from China to Russia in terms of military support. However, what we are seeing are signs that China may be thinking of supplying weapons. China should not do this. Because this support for an illegitimate war means a violation of international law and the UN Convention. China is a member of the UN Security Council and has a special obligation to uphold the UN Charter.”
Asked for his opinion on the Chinese administration’s presentation of a peace plan, Stoltenberg said that China does not condemn the invasion, so it has no credibility.
EU Commission President von der Leyen stressed that Russia has been weakened both on the battlefield and economically by the effect of sanctions, but the danger it poses to Ukraine remains.
“We must double our support,” von der Leyen said. “We must continue to provide Ukraine with the means to defend itself until the Russians end this war and leave Ukraine,” he shared his view.
CEREMONY IN WARSAW
A ceremony was held in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, in the first year of the Russia-Ukraine War.
Polish and Ukrainian soldiers and officials gathered at the “Monument to the Killed and Murdered in the East”.
In the area where the military parade took place, flowers were laid at the monument and Ukrainians made anti-war speeches. After the speeches, prayers were said and the ceremony ended. (AA)